sirMizer

So I've been having a rocky few weeks. Thought I'd log it in. 

The Scott Robertson book came in two weeks ago and I'm making steady progress in the studies. However, I have slightly altered what I studied. Eventually everything has to be done but, doing the things that give the most bang to my buck seems better. 

I took this quote to the heart. I believe it's from the easily lovable Sycra: "Look at what your unhappy with, then turn it into something you're happy with and keep doing that." Given my goal, illustration and concept design, I find myself not being able to go past line drawings value and drawing wise. So I've invested in painting. Most of the things I'll be uploading will be those paintings. There's no time limit, Just studies of me trying the fundamentals.

I'm finally working on something I'd like to put out on the web - So that's what you can expect! Ouput.
Tl;DR - The uploading beings!

The month has almost ended so it time for a journal entry.

I know no one reads these right now and I don't expect anything from these either but, I want a place where I can log my path of becoming. In the end, after many years I want my art (, not me, ) to become a legend. I always felt Deviantart is about art, not about the artist. That's why I chose this website. I hope to inspire the little group that makes it in life, make it a bit easier for them. It's hard enough as it is.


Last months challenge was 1st of fundamentals - Anatomy:
I've finished my anatomy lessons. It took me about 26 days of grinding dedication. With those crushing hours day in and out my understanding of the human body has largely improved. I usually warm up with an hour of anatomy now because after the lessons I have so many more then just the know how of the body. I'm also able to understand it in 3d. There are still some weak spots, so those are improved as a warm up sketchy thing.

Also, I decided on one of my first projects. In three words: Blood and Indians. We'll see whatever else comes out of there when I finish up the design pieces and the lead character and environments. 


Deciding next months challenge:
I've ordered a book on basic shapes and perspective by Scott Robertson. Many designers such as FengZu and the Level up guys have been recommending his book as a bible for all designers. After barely any research I already saw how the knowledge in his books would add entire new worlds to my fundamentals. Right now I'm waiting for the book to arrive. Once it arrives I'll give myself about two months to clear it, which is actually pretty funny since I've been told it has about 2 years+ worth of work. I expect the normal person to draw about 15 hours a week. If I can keep up 55+ hours a week I hope to squeeze it in a smaller time frame.
"Time is money, friend!" - Warcraft goblins. 


New challenge: June - Scott robertsons Basic shapes! 
While I wait for the book I'm going to be working on anatomy, designs and a introspective style study through artists I adore.
That concludes all I wanted to speak aboot! Much love, I'm out.


Mizer.

I was supposed to finish my first cycle. However, I got up to about 9 drawings and started noticing how bad my fundamentals are. Immediately after I dropped the entire thing and resumed focusing on anatomy and perspective. I'll be dropping the cycles program for pursuit of refined basics. In my past I have never been wrong following my intuition.

Even if I didn't do my assignment, what I did instead was wonderful. At the moment I've drawn the entire skeleton so many times it left me 'rattled'. haha! I'm now starting to add the muscles to the face. I've really seen my understanding and sketches flourish because of my anatomy practice. I still put in about the same amount of hours - just into a different cause. 

I'm thinking of buying Scott Robinson books for perspective. Untill that time, I'll be shredding through the anatomy of the human structure, by riven phoenix. It'll take me a couple of weeks. There's about 180 episodes. Seeing as I'm doing 5+ a day I should be done in about  14 days. I'm going to try and squeeze it into less. My new aim is 7 days for the remaining 110 lessons. After that I should probably just use the system repeatedly so my nervous system gets completely used to it. Let's go!

This week I'll finish the core lessons of the human structure! 110 lessons to go~ gotta work like I deserve the job!

Now, I shouldn't mention this to y'all because of the NDA - Haha, just kidding.
Recently I started with the idea of cycles. Where I get a imaginary client contacting me. Telling me they saw my work and are very interested in working with me. I create a assignment that seems feasible to what I want to do in the future. As if I shipped a big product for a huge IP. 

Cycles are made in a way where I do some environment art, some character art, variations of their clothing and maybe appropriate vehicles or other objects. I do that to test and train myself. It's an easy way to get into to flow of professionals while building a portfolio. Also, all the projects i'll work on are absolutely awesome! I'll introduce the concept of a 'cycle':


first-        Current date, check big titles that are out in your design interest (, games - books - media and ent. et cetera ).

second -    Create a assignment that you think is a proper project and challenges you while meeting the criteria ( it has both character/environment art ).

Finally -    Start looking up info and deepen your mind into the world of your creation. 


It's a very low workload that produces results and shows me my sticking points both art wise and production wise. While that process is taking place my portfolio will slowely move into existance and I have time left to practice the fundamentals of art, anatomy, perspective, lighting and composition, on the side.

Officially when I get contracted by such a huge IP I wouldn't be able to talk about this since I'd have to sign a NDA agreement but, since this is all practice and my own doing I'll be posting the results and a log.

Have a great day~
Joshua Plak